Defending champions Suzuki Griquas produced a brutally efficient display up front as they powered their way into another Carling Currie Cup final with a 52-12 demolition of the Fidelity ADT Lions in Kimberley on Sunday.
A year after edging the Lions in a dramatic final decided by a George Whitehead penalty after the hooter, there was no late drama this time. Instead, Griquas settled the contest through sheer forward dominance, overpowering the visitors at scrum time and squeezing the life out of the semifinal long before the final whistle.
The hosts made an early statement when flankers Lourens Oosthuizen and Marco de Witt both crossed following line breaks in open play as Griquas raced into control.
The Lions briefly threatened a response when Armand Combrinck crashed over from a rolling maul, but it proved nothing more than a fleeting glimpse of hope.
Through to the final ⏭️
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 6, 2026
The Suzuki Griquas will have a chance to defend their #CurrieCup crown next Saturday 🏆🏉#SSRugby | #CarlingCurrieCup pic.twitter.com/Wqrk1CvPFU
Griquas were relentless in the tight exchanges, with their starting tight five laying the foundation before the replacements continued the punishment.
By fulltime they had forced a remarkable six scrum penalties, giving Whitehead and later replacement flyhalf Liam Koen a steady stream of opportunities to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
The contest was effectively put beyond doubt by a pair of maul tries either side of halftime as the home side turned their forward superiority into points.
Leading 35-5 at the break, Griquas never looked in danger of surrendering their advantage.
Instead, they continued to pile on the pressure while Whitehead and Koen enjoyed excellent afternoons from the kicking tee.
The Lions did manage a consolation try through Ethan Adams, but there was never any realistic route back into the contest after the damage done during the opening 40 minutes.
The result completed a miserable return to Kimberley for the Lions, who had bolstered their side with several URC regulars, including Ruan Delport, Renzo du Plessis and Jarod Cairns.
The strategy had paid dividends during last season's title run, but in wet conditions against a fired-up Griquas pack, it backfired badly.
The defending champions will now head into the final brimming with confidence after one of their most complete performances of the season.
Scorers
Suzuki Griquas 52 (35)
Tries: Lourens Oosthuizen (2), Marco de Witt, Mnombo Zwelendaba, Tiaan Lange, Stefan Coetzee, Jack Hart
Conversions: George Whitehead (4), Liam Koen (2)
Penalty: Liam Koen
Fidelity ADT Lions 12 (5)
Tries: Armand Combrinck, Ethan Adams
Conversion: Matthew Coetzee.